Nikko Van Crey

PhD Student

Robotics

About

Nikko received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Multidisciplinary Design from the University of Michigan. In undergraduate he researched the relationship between optimal bipedal gaits and the underlying passive dynamics in the Robotics and Motion Laboratory. He also spent two years leading drivetrain and mechatronic design for Formula Hybrid SAE vehicles. In between his undergraduate and graduate studies, Nikko conducted research at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the Robotic Climbers and Grippers Division (347M), developing underactuated grippers to capture satellites and orbital debris. Nikko is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and received the Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship Award. His primary research interests include bio-inspired robotics, mechanism design, modeling, dynamics, and control.